A Samyang 35mm f/2.8 FE lens for Sony’s full-frame E-Mount mirrorless cameras has been launched and it’s less than half of the price of Sony’s Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* equivalent lens.

Designed to work with Sony’s E-Mount full-frame cameras such as the Alpha 7 series, the Samyang 35mm f/2.8 FE lens will also work with Sony’s APS-C format mirrorless cameras such as the Sony A6500, with an equivalent focal length of 52mm approximately.

We know Samyang lenses are sharp and cost much less than brand name equivalents, but usually with the caveat that they are manual focus only.

However, many wishes came true when Samyang started to create autofocus lenses, currently for Sony’s FE E-mount only. This is now Samyang’s third AF lens, joining the 14mm f/2.8 FE and 50mm f/1.4 FE lenses.

Measuring 33mm (with hood removed), we are in pancake lens territory. The lens element construction, aperture range, minimum focus and filter thread are some of many similarities between the Samyang and Sony Carl Zeiss lenses.

Yet if we continue comparing the two lenses, the Samyang lens is lighter at 85g, to the Carl Zeiss’ 120g. Ultimately, Samyang’s lens is about as light and compact a full-frame lens you could hope to find.

We’re excited to get our hands on Samyang’s new lens, especially to see how the autofocus holds up. We take it as a given that the optics will be high quality and look forward to comparing it with the Carl Zeiss option.

Pricing and availability

Billed as easily portable for travel and every day photography, the Samyang 35mm f/2.8 FE lens is available in July with an RRP of £279.99. That’s a steal when compared to equivalent brand name lenses.

About Tim Coleman

After completing a photography degree, Tim has enjoyed more than 10 years in the photo industry. Image maker, writer and reviewer, Tim wrote for Amateur Photographer Magazine for 3 years as Deputy Technical Editor and for 1 year as Vanguard Europe Editor. Currently, he freelances alongside volunteering for a non-profit in East Africa